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THOUGHTS (/ 



THE EELICtIOUS INSTRUCTION 



THE NEGROES OF THIS COUNTRY. 



BY WM. S. PLUMER, D. D. 



SAVANNAH: 

EDWARD J. PURSE, PRINTER, 

No. 102 Bryan-Street — Up Stairs. 

1848. 



iS 



of 



"^ THOUGHTS ON THE 

^; RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION 

OF THE NEGROES IN THIS COUNTRY. 



Many centuries ago, a holy seer said, " Ethiopia shall soon 
stretch out her hand unto God." In view of the fulfilment of 
this prophecy, the royal bard called for a song of universal 
praise. The words next succeeding this prediction are, " Sing 
unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth: O sing praises unto the 
Lord." The writings of Jeremiah inform us who the Ethio- 
pians were, when he speaks of them as contra-distinguished 
from the rest of the race by their colour, as the leopard is from 
the rest of the feline tribe by his spots. 

The first step in the providence of God towards an amelior- 
ation of the spiritual condition of the negro race was their dis- 
persion among other races of mankind. This work, both cruel 
and bloody, had not been completed, when Christian philan- 
thropy, ever vigilant, sought them out in bondage, and bore to 
them the cup of divine consolation, which the gospel offers to all, 
and especially to the sons of sorrow. As early as the year 1732, 
the United Brethren commenced missions to the negroes in the 
Danish West Indies, viz., St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Jan. 
In 1754 they began their labours in Jamaica: in 1756 in Antigua: 
in 1765 in Barbadoes: in 1775 in St. Kitts: in 1790 in Tobago. 
In 1735 they began their labours among the free negroes of 
Surinam, and in 1736 they commenced a mission in South 
Africa. The same zeal led the same people to labour amongst 
the slaves at and near Paramaribo. One mission was at 
Paramaribo and one at Sommelsdyke. 

The difficulty of estabhshing the first missions among the 
negroes can scarcely now be conceived. This difficulty was 
neither blindly contemned, nor timidly feared. With a zeal 
which Christ knows how to reward, " two of the Brethren at 
Hernhutth offered to sell themselves as slaves, should they find 
no other way of obtaining an opportunity of instructing the 
negroes." In almost every instance some ignorant or viciously 
disposed persons chose to misunderstand and misrepresent the 
object and tendency of this missionary labour ; and thus at first 



opposition wus frequently violent. But in every case ibis hos- 
tility was found to be unreasonable and died away. Thus in St. 
Thomas ihrori^gh the bitterness of some, of whom better things 
might have been expected, the missionaries were at one time 
imprisoned for fifteen weeks ; but soon after the governor and 
most of the planters on the island were convinced, by experience, 
that the instruction of the negroes in the principles oi" religion, 
instead of impairing, promoted the interests of their masters ; 
and therefore they were pleased to see their slaves attend on 
the preaching of the gospel. Thus also in St. Croix, when a 
dangerous plot was discovered among the slaves, who had bound 
themselves to njurder all the white people on the island in one 
night, certain malicious persons reported, that some of the 
negroes baptised by the missionaries were concerned in this 
conspiracy; but their ignorance was soon vindicated by the 
criminals themselves. As long as the disturbances lasted, the 
Brethren by the governor's advice, omitted the large meetings 
of the negroes; and when he authorized them to begin them again, 
he'and some other gentlemen were present and encouraged the 
negroes m their attendance. On another occasion when an 
order was issued that no negro should be seen on the streets or 
roads after seven o'clock in the evening, he made a regulation 
that such negroes as had attended the meetings of the Brethren, 
and could produce a certificate to that effect, signed by their 
teacher, should pass unmolested by the watch. Such was the 
confidence the governor placed in the missionaries, and the 
ilaves under their care. 

Indeed it has invariably occurred in the missions to these 
people that the planters have perceived the good effects of their 
labours on the slaves, and found it in every respect best to have 
the gospel preached upon their estates. While on this general 
subject, it may be proper to assert what none will or can with 
truth deny, viz., that no class of negroes well instructed in 
Christianity, and connected with churches under the care of 
while pastors, have ever been engaged in any insurrectionary 
disturbances. Thus the poor, miserable fanatic, who a few 
years ago headed a band of drunken murderers in one of the 
counties of Virginia, was not himself a member of any Christian 
church ; nor had he any follower who had ever received sound 
and systematic religious instruction ; or was connected with any 
church having a white man for a pastor or teacher. So also in 
reference to the plot of 1822 in Charleston, S. C, the coloured 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church were by report 
accused of some participation. But the Hon. Charles Cotes- 
worth Pinckney, Lieutenant Governor of the State, and himself 
iiot a Methodist, in his address before the Agricultural Society 



of South Carolina, says ; " On investigation it appeared that ail 
concerned in that transaction, except one, had seceded from the 
regular Methodist Church in 1817, and formed a separate 
establishment, in connection with the African Methodist Society 
in Philadelphia; whose Bishop, a coloured man, named Allen,^ 
had assumed that office being himself a seceder from the Metho- 
dist Church of Pennsylvania. At this period, Mr. S. Bryan, the 
local minister of the regular Methodist Church of Charleston, 
was so apprehensive of sinister designs, that he addressed a 
letter to the City Council, on file in the Council Chamber, 
dated 8th November, 1817, stating at length the reasons of his 
suspicion." 

In proof of the imporlanceof Christianizing the negroes, even 
in a political point of view, it is not unworthy of notice, that 
soon after the commencement of the war between England and 
France during the last quarter of the last century, the governor 
of Tortola received information, that the French inhabitants of 
Guadaloupe meditated a descent on the island. He immedi- 
ately sent for Mr. Turner, the superintendant of the Methodist 
Missions in Tortola and the other Virgin Islands, aj.d having 
informed him of this report, added that there was no regular 
force in the colony to defend it against the enemy, and that they 
were afraid to arm the negroes unless he would put himself at 
the head of them. Mr. Turner was sensible that such a step 
was not properly within the line of the ministerial office ; but 
considering that the Island was in imminent danger, that if it 
were conquered by the French, the religious privileges of the 
negroes would probably be lost, and that the war on their part 
was purely defensive, he consented to the governor's request, 
and was accordingly armed with the negroes. About a fort- 
night after, a French squadron made its appearance in the bay ; 
but being informed, it is supposed by some emissaries, of the 
armed force on the Island, it abandoned its design and 
retired. Soon after this the Governor-general of the Leeward 
Islands sent an order to the Methodist Missionaries to make a 
return of all the negroes in their societies who were able to 
carry arms. The return was accordingly made; and a great 
part if not the whole of them were armed for the defence of the 
several Islands. Such was the confidence the Governor-general 
had in the loyalty of the missionaries and their flocks. Let 
these facts suffice, especially as there are none on the other 
side, respecting the safety of teaching the negroes to know and 
love God. 

Another great difficulty, which the Brethren met in their 
missions among the negroes was the unhealthinessof the climate. 
Thus many of them scarcely arrived on the islands, when they 



were attacked by diseases, which in a short time put a period 
to their labours and their hves. Thus from the commencement 
of the mission in the Danish Islands in 1732 to the year 1766 (or 
in thirty-four years) no fewer than sixty-six Brethren and Sisters 
died in St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. Jan. But though the 
mortahty was so great, it is surprising with what cheerfulness 
others came forward to hll the raniis of those, who had so 
prematurely fallen. Bishop Spangenburg informs us, that on 
one occasion when it w^as made known to the congregation at 
Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, that five persons had died within 
a short time on the Island of St. Thomas, no fewer than eight 
Brethren voluntarily offered, that ver}'- day, to go thither and 
replace them. Disease and death as they did not dishearten 
them, so neither ought they to dishearten us in this work, even 
if they stared us in the face. 

The Brethren had often great difficulties, with regard to the 
marriages of slaves, even after their baptism. When a planter 
in the West Indies, for instance, died in debt, his slaves and 
other property were sold at auction ; and in these cases, part 
of the negroes were frequently purchased by proprietors from 
other islands, by which means it not only often happened that 
parents and children, but husbands and wives were forever 
parted from each other. How to act in such circumstances, the 
Brethren were at first quite at a loss, and they appear for some 
time to have prohibited the converts from contracting another 
marriage, apprehending this to be inconsistent wdth the princi- 
ples of Christianity. Now, however, though they do not advise, 
yet neither do they hinder a regular marriage whh another 
person, especially if alamily of children, or other circumstances, 
seem to render a helpmate necessary. 

The course of the English Baptist Missionaries in the east, on 
the same subject, may properly be here stated. Among the 
trials which their converts had to endure, their situation in 
respect to marriage was not the least considerable. In some 
cases the converts were obliged at the time of their conversion 
to forsake their homes, their friends, and even the wife of their 
bosom, nor would she afterwards have any correspondence with 
them, or if willing herself she was forcibly prevented by her 
relations. By this means they were to all intents and purposes 
reduced to a slate of widowhood, and were in no small danger 
of falling into sin. It therefore became a question among the 
Missionaries, whether it was not lawful for a person in such 
circumstances to marr}^ a second wife, while the first was still 
living, after he had in vain employed all possible means to induce 
her to return to him and not being able to recover her, had taken 
gome public nnd ^olrmn measure.'' to acquit himself of the 



blame. This question they at length resolved in the atiirma'- 
tive. A decision involving the same principles, as those 
referred to in the case of the removal or estrangement of a 
husband or wife was had in the S\mod of North Carolina at its 
sessions at Salisbury in the year iS27, whereby it was declared 
that the wife of a member of the church being sold to the far 
south-west, and having herself married again, the husband was 
at liberty to marry again. 

Notwithstanding the difficulties before stated and many 
similar ones, the Great Head of the Church greatly blessed the 
labours of the Brethren ; so that in 3S33 they had in the Danish 
Islands 7 settlements with 36 missionaries, and 9435 negroes, of 
whom about 4000 were communicants. In Jamaica, 7 settle-^ 
ments, 20 misssionaries, 5146 negroes, of whom 1478 were 
communicants. In Antigua, 5 settlements, 23 missionaries, 
14,362 converts, and 5442 communicants. In St. Kitts, 3 
settlements, 10 missionaries, 5035 converts, and 1137 commu- 
nicants. In Barbadoes, 2 settlements, 6 missionaries, 1374 
converts and 282 communicants. In Tobago, 1 settlement, 4 
missionaries and 253 in the congregation. In Surinam, after 99 
years labour, they had 1 settlement, 16 missionaries, 3353 
converts and 1200 communicants. In South Africa, after 
labouring 98 years but with a long interruption, they had 6 
stations, 38 missionaries, 2963 converts and 1043 communi- 
cants. The}^ have also one settlement in Paramaribo, and one 
in Sommelsdyke. The general summary view of these mis- 
sions then gives us about thirty-five stations, one hundred and 
fifty missionaries — having in their congregations and under 
catechetical instruction about forty-two thousand souls, most, if 
all of whom profess conversion, and have been baptised — of 
whom about fifteen thousand are communicants. These sta- 
tistics come down only to the year 1833. Since that time 
most of the missions have had great success, but we have not 
complete statistics at hand. 

In the foregoing statements, one fact of great importance is 
brought to hght, viz.: that the gospel, as dispensed by the 
Moravians, has, other things being equal, been more success- 
ful among slaves than among free negroes. So that the civil 
condition of these people cannot be pleaded against an honest 
discharge of our duty to them. 

Though the United Brethren need the testimony of no man 
to the importance and utility of their labours ; yet as the 
authority of Brsan Edwards, Esq., may have some influence 
with persons of a certain description, who are predjudiced 
against missionary exertions in general, we shall here subjoin a 
short extract from the work of that writer: "It i? very much," 



8 

says he, *' to the honour of the legislature of Antigua that h 
presented to sister islands the first example of the amelioration 
of the criminal law respecting negro slaves, by giving the 
accused party the benefit of trial by jury, and allowing in case 
of capital conviction, four days between the time of sentence 
and execution. And it is still more to the honour of Antigua, 
that its inhabitants have encouraged in a particular manner, the 
laudable endeavours of certain pious men, who have under- 
taken, from the purest and best motives, to enlighten the minds 
of the negroes, and to lead them to the knowledge of religious- 
truths. In the report of the lords of the committee of council on 
the slave trade, is an account of the labours of the society 
know by the name of the Unitas Fratrum, commonly called 
Moravians, in this truly glorious pursuit ; from which it appears 
that their conduct in this business display's such sound judg- 
ment, breathes such a spirit of genuine Christianity, and has 
been attended with such eminent success, as to entitle i^ 
Brethren and missionaries to the most favorable reception from 
every man, whom the accidents of fortune have invested with 
power over the poor Africans, and who believe (as I hope every 
planter believes) that they are his fellow-creatures, and of equal 
importance with himself in the eyes of an all-seeing and 
impartial Governor of the Universe." — Edward^ s History of the 
West Indies. Vol. 1, page 487. Fourth Edition. 

In the autumn of 1786 the Rev. Dr. Coke, accompanied by 
three other Methodist preachers, destined for Nova Scotia, 
sailed from England for that country, but after being ten weeks 
at sea, the violence of the gales, a leak in the ship, and appre- 
hensions of the want of water, forced the captain to change his 
course, and bear off for the West Indies. Having landed on 
the island of Antigua, the Dr. and his companions resolved, 
that, instead of proceeding to the original place of their desti- 
nation, they would attempt to begin a mission on this and some 
of the neighboring islands. Of these establishments we shaE 
now give a short account. 

In the course of their labours the Methodist Missionaries 
established missions among the slaves in Antigua — in Do- 
ra inico — in St. Vincents — in St. Kitts — in St. Eustatia — in 
Nevis — in Tortola and the Virgin Islands — in Jamaica—in 
Barbadoes — in St. Bartholomews — in Grenada — in Trinidad 
— in St. Thomas — in New Providence — and the other Bahanna 
Islands. In these labours the Methodists often met with little 
encouragement. Thus in Nevis many of the most opulent 
planters at first opposed the design, from an apprehension that 
it would introduce a spirit of insubordination among the 
negroes. Hence for a considerable time they would not permit 



the Methodists to have access to the slaves on their estates j 
anil when some at length ventured to invite them, they observed 
the utmost caution in ilicir manner of proceeding : and in some 
instances, the missionaries, afier having preached a few times, 
were discarded, without being informed ofan}'^ reason for such 
a singular mode of treatment. They were rarely however 
without employment. When dismissed from one plantation 
they were solicited to visit others, and after a short season 
were treated in the same manner as they had been before. 

In Jamaica, matters were still more unpleasant. A number 
of tl]e white ])eople at Kingston, soon after the opening of a 
chapel becaine so riotous that it was impossible in the evening 
to meet for the worshij) of God in peace, both the preacher and 
hearers being often in danger not only of mischief, but of losing 
their lives. Mobs and riots were raised agdnst the missionaries. 
Their chapel was presented as a nuisance. The chapel was 
stoned — its gates were lorn down. Si(nilar outrages were 
committed at Morart Bay about 30 miles from Kingston. Op- 
position rose even higher, and the Assembly of Jamaica began 
the work of legislative persecution and carried it on with great 
zeal, but not being sup{)orted by the Crown, they were not able 
to accomplish all their purposes, though much inconvenience 
and even suffering f(jllowed. This opposition has continued, 
until within the last twelve or fifteen years, against the labours 
of these people, notwiihstanding the law was fairly on their side. 
Yet were they not disheartened so as to abandon a field, where 
God had been with them from the first. And now we can all 
see how a gracious God has overruled all these things for good, 
'J'he Anniversary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society in 1S34 
was attended with an unusual degree of thanfulness on account 
of the cessation of this opposition and the readiness of the 
people to hear the word of God. 

What has been the entire success of their labours up to this 
date is not known- But in ISll, twenty-five years from the 
commencement of the first missions in the Islands, there were 
27 missionaries, and between 11,000 and 12,000 converts. 
That the number both of missionaries and converts has been 
more than doubled since that time is at least very probable. 

In reference to the good effects of these missions, one, who 
may be regarded both as a competent and credible witness 
says: "Among the members of the Methodist societies in the 
West Indies, there are not a few, we hope, w^ho are sincere con- 
verts to the Christian faith, though we fear there is a consider- 
able tincture of enthusiasm among them. All of them so far 
as is known fulfil with propriety, the relative duties of life, 
even their own masters being judges, or if any occasionally 

2 



10 

transgress the rules of morality, they are excluded from (htf 
connection, at least after neglecting due reproof. They have 
abandoned the practice of polyganriy, the besetting sin of the 
negroes; and the fatal hifluence of Obcah or witchcraft, which 
is often productive of the most terrible mischief, among the 
slaves, is effectually destroyed wherever Christianity prevails. 
As a proof of the general good conduct of the converts, it is not 
unworthy of rrotice, that when an office which requires trust 
and contidence becomes vacant, such as that of a watchman^ 
it is a usual practice with the planters and managers to enquire 
for a reUgious negro to fill it. Indeed in Antigua, Nevis, Tor- 
tola and St. Vincent's, the proprietors of estates, and the other 
inhabitants, are so fully satisfied with the conduct of the mis- 
sionaries, and so sensible olthe political, as well as moral and 
religious advantages resulting from their labours, that they 
entirely support the missions in the island by their voluntary 
contributions." 

The London Missionary Society has also laboured in this 
field to a limited extent. In 1807 they established a mission 
on the river Demarara in Surinam, in South America. This- 
mission from the first was encouraging. Many attended the 
preaching. Many came asking in the greatest earnestness, the 
way of salvation. The intemperate were reformed, and 
" some whom the whip could not subdue lor years, the gospel 
subdued in a tew months." Prejudice and opposition here 
were never violent and soon gave way. A place of worship 
was soon erecteti, at w^hich not less than 400 generally attended. 
A credible witness says : " Perhaps a more attentive congrega- 
tion was never seen." Ungodly men testified to the good 
effects of this work. They declared what every Christiaa 
would expect, viz : that the reception of the gospel made the 
indolent, industrious, the noisy, quiet, the rebellious, obedient, 
the ferocious, gentle. The great promoter of this mission was 
a rich planter, whose name was Post, and to whom it occurred 
as it often does to others, that his labours and expenditures 
seemed to be much more blessed to the slaves on the neigh- 
bouring plantations than to his own. The same society has 
established a mission at Berbice, a neighboring colony, which 
is highly favoured. They had 34 years ago an immense 
chapel at Georgetown, attended by great numbers of people 
of different colours, among whom were supposed to be more 
than a 1000 negroes. At this place the slaves esteemed it a 
privilege to contribute to the funds of the Missionary Society. 

Did time permit, we might also give some account of the 
labours of the "Society for the conversion and religious in- 
struction of the Negroes in the West India Islands." But 



11 

there is nothing very peculiar or marked in its history. We 
therefore pass on to notice missions among the slaves in the 
United Stales, 

Of those who have laboured in this field in our own country, , 
the earliest, that are known, were the United Brethren. Tlie 
associates of Dr. Bray, a gentleman in England, who had by 
his last will made some provision for the conversion ol' the 
negroes in South Carolina, having solicited Count Ztnzendorf 
to send some missionaries to that colony, the Brethren, Peter 
Boehler and George Schulcus, were sent thither in the year 
1738. In consequence however of the sinister views of those /■ 
who ought to have assisted them, they were hitidered from 
prosecuting the great object of their mission. Both of them, 
indeed, soon fell sick. Schulcus died in 1739; and Boehler, 
who was at the same time minister of the colony of the Brethren 
in Georgia, retired with these to Pennsylvania, in consequence 
■of being required to carry arms in the war that was carried on 
against the Spanish. 

The next labourers, so far as known, in this field were Rev. y 
Samuel Davies, afterwards Piesident of Nassau Hall, and 
Rev. John Tod, of Hanover Presbytery in Va. Mr. Davies 
began his ministry in Hanover in 1747, and in 1755 he gives 
the following account in a letter to a member of " tlje Society 
in London f(>r promoting Christian Knowledge among the poor." 
" The inhabitants of Virginia are computed to be about 300,000 
men, the one-half of which number are supposed to be negroes. 
The number of those who attend my ministry at particular 
limes is uncertain, but generally about 300, who give a stated 
attendance ; and never have I been so struck wiih the appear- 
ance of an assembly, as when I have glanced my eye to that 
part of the meeting-house where they usually sit, adorned, for 
so it appeared to me, with so many black countenances eagerly 
attentive to every word they hear, and frequently bailied in 
tears. A considerable number of them (about five hundred) 
have been baptised, after a proper time ior instruction, and 
having given credible evidences, not only of their acquaintance 
with the important doctrines <if the Christian religion, but also 
a deep sense of them upon their minds, attested by a life of 
strict piety and holiness. As they are not sufficiently polished 
to dissemble with a good grace, they express the sentiments of 
their souls so much in the language of simple nature, and with 
such genuine indications of sincerity, that it is impossible to 
suspect their professions, especially when attended with a 
truly Christian life and exemplary conduct. My worthy friend, 
Mr. Tod, minister of the next congregation, has near the same 
cumber under his instructions, who, he tells me, discover the 



It 

eamc serious turn of mind. In short, sir, there are nnultitudes 
of them in different places, who are willing and eagerly desi- 
rous to be inslriicled, and embrace every opporiuniiy of 
acquainting themselves wilh the doctrines of the gospel, and 
though they have generally very lilile help to learn them to 
read, yet to my agreeable surprise many of them, by dint of 
application at their leisure Ijours, have made such ])r()gress 
that they can read a plnin author intelligibly, and espcciully 
their Bibles, and pity it is thnt any of iheiri should be wiijiout 
them. {Some of them have the n)isl()rtunc to hnve irreligious 
masters, and liardly any of them are so happy as to be fur- 
nished wilh these assistances for their im])ro\ement. Uelbre 
1 had the pleasure of being admitted a member of your society, 
they were wont frequently to come to me with such moving 
accounts (jf their necessities in this respect, thtu 1 could not 
lielp supidying them wilh books, to the utmost of my small 
abilities; and when I distributed those among them which my 
friends, with you, sent over, 1 had reason to think that 1 never 
did an action in all my life that met with so much gratitude 
from the receivers. I have already dislriliuled all the books 
that 1 brought over, which were proper tor them. Yet still on 
Saturday evenings, the only time they can spare, my house is 
crowded with numbers of them, whose very couiilen-.inccs still 
carry the air of importunate petitioners for the same fivouis 
with those who came bef()re ihcm. But, alas! my stock is 
exhausted, and 1 must send them away grieved and disap- 
pointed. Permit me, sir, to be an advocate with you, and i)y 
your means, with your generous friends in their behalf. Tlie 
books I princifjally want for them are Watts' I'suhns and 
H3'mns, and Bibles. The two first they cannot be supplied 
wilh in any other way than by a collection, as they are not 
among the books your society give away. I am the rather 
importunate for a good number ot these, as I cannot but observe 
that the negroes above all the human species that I have ever 
known, have an ear for music, and a kind of ecstatic delight in 
psalmody; and there are no books they learn so soon, or take 
so much pleasure in, as those used in that heavenly part of 
divine worship. Some gentlemen in London were pleased to 
make me a private present of these books for their use ; and 
from the reception they met with, and their eagerness for mf)re, 
1 can easily foresee how acceptable and useful a larger nuniber 
would be among them. Indeed, nothing would be a greater 
inducement to their industry to learn to read, than the hope of 
such a present, which they would consider both as a help and 
a reward to their diligence." Having obtained a further sup- 
ply of books from London for the negroes, Mr. Davies, in a 



Id 

letter to the same gentleman, gives the following account of the 
manner in wliich they were receixed by them. "For some 
time afier ihe books mrived, the poor slaves, whenever they 
C(»uld get an hour's leisure iVom their masters, would hurry 
away to my house, to receive the charily with all the genuine 
indn;ations of passionate gratitude, which unpolished i^ature 
could give, and which aftt'clation and grimace would mimic in 
vain. Tlie hf)oks were all very acce[)table, but none more so 
than the Psalms and Hyanis, wliich enable them to gratily 
their peculiar taste for Psalmody. Sundry of them lodged in 
my kitchen all nighr, and sometimes wlien I have awaked ;d)out 
two or three o'clock in the m(Hning, a torrent ot" sacred harmony 
poured into my chamber, and carried tny mind away to heaven. 
In this serapliic exercise, some oi' i hem spend almost thewhole 
night. I wish, sir, you and their other beneDiciors could hear 
any of these sacred concerts. 1 atn persuaded it wouhl sur- 
prise and please you more than an oratorio or St. Ocilia's 
day." Mr Davies alierwards adds, that two Sabbaths before, 
he had the pleasure oi seeing l()rly of ihem around the table of 
the Lord, all of whom made a cretiible prolession of Christ- 
ianity, 'AfM\ several of them wiih urmsual evidence of sincerity; 
and that he believed there were moie than a thousand negroes 
who attended upon his miuisiry at the diflereni jilaccswhere 
he alternately officiated. — Gillies'' llisforiail Collccfiotis, T'ol. I, 
J). 3:34; Afipandix to ike Historicol ColU'Ciions, p. 29, 37, 40, 42. 

The labours of the Rev. Koberi Heruy Sfvm to have been 
blessed much lo the negroes in Virginia. 'JMie centre of Ins 
operations was Cub-Creek, in Charlotte county. 

Mr. Hem-y was sncceedeil by llev. Drury Lacy of precious 
memory. We have seen a letter dated Julv 14ih, 1S34, which 
says, "During Mr. Lacy's ministrations at Cub-Creek, there 
were about 200 black members ad<led, and there were 60 be- 
longing to Mrs. Coles alone. Several black elders were 
ajtpointed and set af)art to superintend those black members." 

Mr. Lacy was succeederl by l»ev. .lohn H. liice, D. D. He, 
saj^s the same letter, "did l)ut little in that cause, as il began 
to decline as soon as Mr. Lacy ceased his labours, in Charlotte." 
Yet the old records of the Ceneral Assenibly, and of the Gen- 
eral Assembly's l>oard of Missions show that his labour was 
not in vain in the Lord. In IS07 I:lanf)ver I'resbylery ad- 
dressed a circular to the chmches uinler iheir care, solemnly 
exhorting ihem not to neglect their duty to their servants.* 

About the time of the labours of Mr. Henry at Cnb-Crcek, 
the Rev. Henry Patillo, pastor of Grassy Creek and Nutbush 
churches in Granville county, North Carolina was labouring 

*Vireinia Magatine, Vol. III. p. K9. 



t4 

successfully among ihe same class of people. But we are 
unabh; to give particulars. Of one thing however we are well 
cerlitied, and that is that the ooud effecis of his labours have 
not ceased to be felt extensively to tliis day. 

Dr. Semple's history of the B;ijjiisis in Virginia, contains 
many evidences that from the earHest beginnings of that branch 
of Christ's church in the South, the salvation of the negroes 
hias not been forgotten or slighted in their ministrations. In- 
deed the vast numbers connected with their churches show that 
they have laboured much among them. 

Very soon after the IMetiiodists begnn to preach in the 
United States, the negroes ckiimed much of their attention. As 
early as the year 1S04, the .Methodists had in the United States 
23,531 coloured members, of whom most were slaves. S.nce 
that time their numbers have been almost incredibly increased. 
For besides their regular system of itineracy, they have for 
some years had very flourishing Planlaiion Missions, especially 
in South Carolina and Georgia. The testimony in favour of 
their labours is not to be i(>un(l merely in their own official 
reports, veritable as no doubt they are ; but in the increasing 
desire of planters of all denominations and of no denomination 
of Christians to have their slaves instructed by them, 'i'he 
Hon. CC. Pinckney in the address previously referred to, says: 
** On a plantation in Georgia, where in addition to supeiior 
management, the religious instruction of the blacUs is s^'stem- 
atically pursued, the crops are invariibly the best in the 
neighborhood. The neatness and order which the whole 
establishment exhibits, prove that the prosperity of the master, 
and the best interests of the negro are not incompatible. The 
same state furnishes another instance of this position. The 
people of an absentee's plantation, were proverbially, bad from 
the abuse and mismanagement of an overseer, (the pr(»prietors 
residing in England and the attorneys in Carolina.) The latter 
dismissed the overseer as soon as his misconduct was discov- 
ered, and employed another wlio was a pious man ; he not 
only instructed the negroes hin)self to the best of his abilities, 
but accompanied them every Sunday to a Methodist church in 
the neighborhood. At the end of five years their character 
was entirely changed, and has so continued ever since. After 
nearly fifteen years more, the surviving attorney is now in 
treaty for the purchase of these very negroes, whom he formerly 
considered as a band of outlaws. Other examples in favour of 
this plan have occurred in Carolina. In one instance a gentle- 
man invited a missionary to attend his plantation. After some 
time, two black preachers, who bad previously acquired 
popularity fell into disrepute, and were neglected by their 



IS 

former congregation. These statennents are derived from 
unquestionable sources. The last case presents a view of the 
subject, which m;iy have weight with those who think other 
moii.es insufficient." 

'Ihe \n\e Bishop Dehon of South Carolina, turned his atten- 
tion somewhat to this people and not without success. 

We have spoken thus iiir of the labours of the dead only. 
Did time permit, inieresting details ol" the labours of many Hv- 
ing miMi might be^ given. It has been clearly ascertained that 
in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, (Georgia, and in all 
the Southern Slates, there are many who are fired with love to 
the souls of the dying negroes, aud are, with various success 
labouring for their salv;nion. It will appear by statements 
already made, and yet tf) he made, that all denominations of 
Christians are fairly pledged to this work, so that they cannot 
consistently retreat from it. 

In makir.g the foregoing statements nothing more than an 
introduction to a great sul)ieci was intended. That great sub- 
ject is our duty res|')ecting the eternal well being ol" negroes. 
A friend once inquired respecting IVesident Davies' practice 
as to the baptism of slave children. We know not what that 
excellent man's praclice was ; but we are happy in stating that 
the highest court in the Presbyterian church has determined 
in a maimer, that is thought satisfactory, all questions on 
this point. Thus in the minutes of the Synod of New York 
and Philadelphia for the year 17S(3, p. 413, it is said : "The 
following case of conscience from Donnegal Presbytery was 
overtured, viz.: whether Christian masters or mistresses ought 
in duty to have such children baptized, as are under their 
care, though born of parents not in communion of any church? 
Upon this overture, the Synod are of opinion, that Christian 
masters and mistresses whose religions profession and conduct 
are such, as to give them a right to the ordinance of baptism for 
their own chihlren, ma}^, and ought to dedicate the children of 
their household to God. in that ordinance, when they have no 
scruple of conscience to the contrary." 

On the next page (414) of the same record, it is said that "It 
was overtured, whether Christian slaves having children at the 
entire discretion of unchristian masters, and not having it in 
their pov^'er to instruct thenj in religion, are bound to have them 
baptised ; and whether a christian minister in this predicament 
ought to baptize them? The Synod determined in the affirm- 
ative." 

Again on the 315 page of vol. iii., containing the minutes of 
the General Assembly for 1816, is this entry : 

" The committee to which was referred the following ques- 



16 

tion, viz : Ought baptism on the promise of the master, to be ad* 
miiiisu'recl l<> the cfiildren of shives, repf)rlt'<l, and their report 
being aan-mled was adopted, and is as follows, viz : 

"J SI, Tliat it is the duty of masters wlio are members of 
the cliurch, to present the children of parents in servilu<ie, to 
the ordinance ot" l)apiisni, provided liiey are in a situation to 
train them op in the nurture and admonition of the Lorti, thus 
securing them the rich advaniages which the gospel promises. 

"2nd, That it is llieduty of Ohristi.in ministers to inculcate 
this doctrine ; uud to baptize all childien of this description 
when presented to them by their masters." 

It is proper here to state that among tlie most serious obsta- 
cles to the spread of the gospel among this people, the use of 
ardent spirits has long held and does sidl hold a prominent 
place. We once heard a slave-holder say that if Abolitionists 
had stirred U[) as much rebellion and caused as much blood- 
shed among liie negroes as the retailers of ardent spirits had 
done, there would lon^ ere this have been a civil war. 

Nit Turner's insurrection broke out in the region that for- 
merly manuftcluri'd vast quanlilies of apple-brandy. His 
followers are known to have been highly stimulated with this 
lujuidjire. Indeed, we know a clergyman who for many years 
has resided and travelled extensively in the South, and who 
testifies that among scores of negroes under sentence of death 
whom he has visited, he remembers but two, who were not led 
to commit the crimes that brought them to such a sentence by 
some sort of influence arising from strong drink; and in most 
cases by drinking just betiire they comniilted the crime. It 
gives us pleasure to state that the sound principles of the Tem- 
})erance retbrmation are so few, so plain, and so simple, that 
they are of easy application to this kind of pf)pulation. Many 
recent experin)ents in the South prove the truth of this asser- 
tion, and exhibit most blessed efJecls arising ftom theintroduc- 
lion of this reforination among them. Let the friends of mo- 
rality and religion persevere. Drunkenness is the enemy of 
the black and the white. It destroys both soul and body, in 
time antl eternity. 

We have in possession a number of printed documents 
written by good men residing in the South on the subject of the 
religious instruction of the negroes. 

One of them is the '• Itev. Dr. Richard Furman's exposition 
of the views of the Baptists relative to the colored population 
of the United States, in a comrnunieation to the Governor of 
South Carolina," and published at his recommendation. In 
this document, it is stated that the result of his inquiry and 
reasoning leads among others to the following conclusions : 



17 

" That Masters having the disposal of the persons, time, 
and labour of their servants, and being the heads of families, 
are bound, on principles of moral and religious duty to give 
these servants reh'gious instruction ; or at least to afford them 
opportunities, under proper regulations, to obtain it ; and to 
grant religious privileges to those who desire them, and furnish 
proper evidence of their sincerity and uprightness. Due care 
being taken at the same time that they receive their instructions 
frouj right sources, where they will not be in danger of having 
their minds corrupted by sentiments unfriendly to the domes- 
tic and civil peace of the community." Page 15. 

The second document is styled " Practical considerations 
founded on the Scriptures relative to the slave population of 
South Carolina," respectfully dedicated to the "South Caro- 
lina Association," by a South Carolinian, understood to be the 
Rev. Dr. Dalchoofthe Protestant Episcopal Church in Charles- 
ton. The concluding sentence is in these words : " If we are 
the owners of slaves, our duty to God, to our country, and to 
ourselves, all urge the necessity of affording them instruction 
in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the souls of men." 
pp. 37, 38. 

Another of these documents, whose author is the Rev. Chas. 
Colcock Jones, D.D., establishes these principles : That the 
negroes need the gospel : That God has put it in our power to 
give them the gospel : That we are bound by humanity, con- 
sistency, by the spirit of our religion, and by the express com- 
mand of God to give them the gospel : That we cannot be 
excused from this work by pleading that they already and suf- 
ficiently have the light of life : Nor by pleading that they are 
incapable of receiving it : Nor by pleading the little success 
that has been had in this department : Nor by pleading the 
great and peculiar difficulties of the case. 

The next documents are the twelve Annual Reports of the 
Missionary to the negroes in Liberty County, Georgia, present- 
ed to the Association from year to year, and published by order 
of the Association. These are the most practical and there- 
fore to us the most useful documents in the collection. Passing 
by the practical matters, we present but one sentence taken 
from the report of 1833. " Thereligious instruction of servants 
is as much a duty as that of children. You are labouring 
therefore to discharge a duty; and are to account for the 
manner in which you discharge it at the bar of God." p. 15. 

The next document is : " Report of the committee to whom 
was referred the subject of the Religious instruction of the 
colored population, of the Synod of South Carolina and Geor- 
gia, at its sessions in Columbia, South Carolina, December 
3 



18 

5th — 9lh, 1833, and published by order of the Synod." This 
able docutnenL thus enumerates the benefits which will flow 
from the religious instruction of the negroes, and clearly shows 
that it will be to our interest. It specifies these things : "There 
will be a better understanding of the relation of master and 
servant and of their reciprocal duties : The pecuniary interests 
of the masters will be advanced as a necessary consequence : 
The religious instruction of the negroes will contribute to safety : 
Another benefit is, we shall ihus promote our own morality and 
religion : Much unpleasant discipline will be saved to the 
churches: The last benefit mentioned is one that we thus 
convey to the servants instrumentally : It is the salvation of 
their souls." 

Another document is the "Pastoral letter of the Rt. Rev. 
Wm. Meade, Assistant Bishop of Virginia, to the ministers, 
members, and friends, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in 
the Diocess of Virginia, on the duty of affording religious 
instruction to those in bondage," and published at the request 
of the Convention of Virginia. This manly and Christian 
publication shows it to be our duty to seek the salvation of these 
people because : "The providence of God in sending these 
people among us in a state of dependence points out to us this 
duty: The word of God is particular and emphatic on this 
subject : The benevolence and mercy of the gospel require 
this of us : Consistency requires this of us." The conclusion 
urges the performance of this duty from success already had 
in the work. In the Appendix are to be found some letters and 
documents of great worth on this great subject. 

But Dr. Jones seems to be in this department more "abun- 
dant in labours" than any other man. We have now his excel- 
lent and practical pamphlet on the religious instruction of slaves. 
We are glad to see it sent forth by our Board of Publication, 
and in its present form too. We trust it will have an extensive 
circulation. No man will fail to be better informed who reads 
it with care. It can for a few cents be transmitted by mail to 
any part of the United States. Our advice concerning it is 
given in four words : buy, read, circulate, practice it. 

The statistics of the negro race in the slave-holding States 
of this nation are of the most interesting kind. Their increase 
is prodigious. We cannot go into this matter now, farther than 
to say that the next census will probably show that the number 
of negroes and mulattoes in the United States is more than 
four miUions. What an object for Christian love and wisdom 
and effort ! Who will not pray for the salvation of these 
people .'* 

From what has been already said, our minds are fully satis- 
fied of the correctness of the following positions •. 



19 

I. It is the duty of Christians generally, and of Presby- 
terians parlicularly, earnestly to seek the salvation of all the 
destitute, and especially of the negroes of this country, by 
such methods as the laws of God recjuire, and in conformity 
with every proper law of the land, relating to these people. 
A good police is nowhere adverse to the spread of the gospel. 

II. On account of the incalculable benefits resulting to the 
teacher of the plan of salvation, and to him who is taught as 
well as to masters and the com munit}/- generally, it is expedient 
to do this thing and that speedily. 

III. It is entirely safe to do this. No facts can be established 
to the contrary, and many can be established in support of 
this assertion. 

IV. It is very unsafe not to do it, because all men will have 
some notions of religion, and if they be not correct notions, 
they will be erroneous, wild, fanatical, superstitious, or in some 
way highly dangerous. On this subject we present a short 
extract from a discourse published by the late Dr. Rice, in the 
year 1825, on the subject of the injury done to religion by igno- 
rant teachers. In that discourse the writer speaking of fanat- 
icism says : 

" These remarks have a bearing on a particular part of our 
population, which I think it my duty to state iti such terms 
that the intelligent will understand me. And that this subject 
may present itself with greater force it ought to be observed, 
that there is always a predisposition to superstition, where there 
are no settled religious principles. This stale of the human 
mind, may be regarded as a predisposition to fanaticism where 
there is a general prevalence of ignorance and rudeness. Now 
it is well known that there is a large and increasing part of our 
population whose ignorance is almost absolute. Their spiritual 
interests have been very generally neglected ; and attempts to 
afford them religious instruction have often been frowned upon 
by men of power and influence. But have they thus been 
able to suppress the workings of the religious principle ? That 
is impossible. It would be as easy to exclude the light of the 
sun by a leaf of the statute book. What then has been the 
result of this very general negligence? Why, thousands of 
this race have a set of religious opinions of their own in many 
very important respects at variance with the religion of the 
New Testament. They have long shown a most observable 
preference for those meetings, by whomsoever conducted, 
where there is most noise and vociferation, most to strike on 
the senses, and least to afford instruction. While some among 
them are, no doubt, true Christians, many unquestionably are 
rank fanatics. They are chiefly under the influence of igno- 



20 

rant spiritual guides. It is most obvious to the careful observer 
that they are withdrawing more and more from those ministra- 
tions, where they can learn the true character of Christianity ; 
and insist with increasing pertinacity, on holding meetings in 
their own way, and havmg preachers of their own colour. 
The profession of religion among them is becoming perceptibly 
less beneficial : so that in some neighborhoods, this very thing 
generates suspicion of the professor, rather than confidence in 
his integrity. The preachers among them, although extremely 
ignorant, (often unable to read a verse in the Bible or a fine in 
their Hymn book) are frequently shrewd, cunning men. They 
see what influence misdirected religions feeling gives them 
over their brethren and they take advantage of it. Many of 
them feel their importance, and assume the post of men of 
great consequence. This thing is growing in the Southern 
country. And while efforts to afford these people salutary 
instruction have been repressed or abandoned, a spirit of fa- 
naticism has been spreading which threatens the most alarming 
consequences. Without pretending to be a prophet, 1 venture 
to predict, that if ever that horrid event should lake place, 
which is anticipated and greatly dreaded by many among us, 
some crisp-haired prophet, some pretender to inspiration, will 
be the ringleaderas well as the instigator of the plot. By feign- 
ing communications from heaven, he will rouse the fanaticism 
of his brethren, and they will be prepared for an^ work how- 
ever desolating or murderous. The opinion has already been 
started among them, that men may make such progress in 
religion, that nothing they can do will be sinful, even should it 
be the murder of those whom they are now required to serve 
and obey ! The present state of the country presents a pros- 
pect truly alarming ; and when the rapid growth of our popu- 
lation both black and white is considered, it requires a man of 
a stout heart indeed, to view the scene without dismay. It is 
appalling, when such a mighty power as that afforded by the 
religious principle, is wielded by ignorant and fanatical men. 
Shall we, then, let this matter alone ?" — Evan, and Lit. Maga- 
zine, Vol. 8, pp. 603 and 604. 

How literally this "prediction" was fulfilled in the South- 
ampton insurrection, many remember. A "crisp-haired" 
fanatic led it on. 

V. Not only the general course of legislation, but also the 
general tenor of Providence unite in declaring that the great 
body of teachers for this people must for the present at least be 
white men. It is truly marvellous that although Dartmouth 
College was endowed chiefly as a school, in which to train up 
Indians for useful stations, yet did that institution never, so far 



21 

as is known, furnish more than one or Iwo useful and success- 
llil preachers of the gospel from among ihat people. As early 
as the year 1693, the Earl of Burlington and the Bishop of 
London, for the lime being, who had been constituted by the 
great Mr. Boyle trustees of the fund he left for the advance- 
ment of Christianity among infidels, directed the proceeds to 
to be paid to the president of William and Mary College in 
Virginia for the education and instruction of a certain number 
of Indian children. This charity was continued for more than 
eighty years ; yet did it never raise up a missionary to the 
Indians. In like manner efforts have been made for the last 
century to train up useful ministers and missionaries of the 
negro race for this country. As early as the year 1744 the 
venerable Dr. Styles and the Rev. Samuel Hopkins under- 
took the education of two apparently promising negroes with 
a view to the ministry; but it was finally a failure. Dr. John 
B. Smith also laboured lor the same object but never really 
served the church in this way. Many other efforts have been 
made, but generally, though we are happy to say not univer- 
sally, they have been unproductive of any solid or extensive 
good. Jf valuable ministers, therefore, are to be raised up 
from this people, in our country and in sufficient numbers, it 
must probably be at least for some time to come, from amongst 
white men. 

VI. If Protestants do not attempt and execute this work, 
Jesuits will undertake and execute a most undesirable work 
among them. Not only the spirit and genius of popery, but 
also the developments of policy made in the Leo[)old Reports, 
put this matter beyond all doubt. The danger and annoyance 
of such influences may be learned not only from the doctrines 
of Romanism and the general history of its acts in every 
nation, where it has prevailed, but also in particular acts in 
reference to missions. Thus in St. Vincents in the West Indies 
the Methodist Missionaries attempted to begin a school among 
the native Caribs, and the legislature of the islands gave an 
estate for the support of the institution ; but the Catholic 
priests of Martinico infused suspicions into the minds of the 
poor people, that the missionaries were employed by the King 
of England, and by this means raised their jealousy to such a 
pitch, that it was found necessary to withdraw from among 
them. 

Among the negroes, however, the Methodists were more suc- 
cessful, and in a short time collected such numbers of them in 
their societies as amply recompensed them for the failure of 
their labours among the Caribs. In 1793 the Legislative 
Assembly of St. Vincents, which had at first patronized the 



22 

Melliodist Missionaries, passed a very rigorous act against llietn, 
prohibilirig ihem from preacliLiig to the negroes under the sever- 
est penalities. For the tirst transgression, it was enacted that 
the offender should be punished by afineot"c£lO; tbr the 
second, by such corporeal punishment as the court should 
think proper to inflict, and likewise by banishment ; and if the 
person should return from banishment, by death ! 

The emissaries of the Pope have shown their real ieelings 
in reference to evangelical missions, in their atteinpts on the 
Sandwich Islands and in their bitterness after their failure, as 
also in their more recent and cruel conduct in Otaheiie. 

In the prosecution of the work, it must not be forgotten : 

1st. That all that shall be done must be with the consent 
and under the sanction of proprietors of estates and of slave- 
holders generally, where the negroes are slaves. 

2nd. That the friends of religion should labour to obtain 
unity of views, sentiments, and purposes amongst all the min- 
isters and churches in our bounds ; especially where this popu- 
lation is large. 

3d. There must be exercised in the whole matter a sound 
discretion, and a careful examination of every step. 

4th. Also unblenching intrepidity, and Christian firmness. 

5th. Untiring perseverance and unceasing effort. 

6th. That long patience, which the husbandman hath when 
he waiteth for the precious fruits of the earth. 

7th. Undoubted love to God and to all men. 

8th. Correct statistical information of the number of black 
members in our churches, and hearers in our congregations, 
should be obtained and published. 

9th. A hearty and steady engagedness of private members 
in all our churches in continual and becoming labours for the 
salvation of those immediately dependant upon them, should 
be urged. 

10th. Some years ago (in 1833) there was a proposal to 
organize a general Board or Missionary Society in the South, 
for the special purpose of conducting this work. At the time 
we were in favour of such an organization. But it failed from 
some cause. In the present state of our church, the Board of 
Missions, (Domestic,) acting as it does through the Presbyte- 
ries, and by their advice, is perhaps fully adequate to the work. 
We see not why they may not do it all. if the churches will but 
furnish the means, and if proper men can be found. We have 
spoken of a general Board. Local Associations are and will 
continue to be in many respects useful and important. Let 
such be formed, on correct principles wherever it may be use- 
ful. A form of a constitution for such an associalion "auxili- 



23 

ary to the Board of Domestic Missions" constitutes a valuable 
part of the Appendix to the pamphlet under review. 

A friend of ours, who has iong felt an interest, and who has 
through a course of yejirs conducted an extensive correspon- 
dence on this subject, lias shown us a large nun:Dber of letters 
obtained by him i()r pubhc use from clergymen of high stand- 
ing in several different denoinitiaiions, from lawyers, physi- 
cians, judges, members of Congress, intelligent planters, offi- 
cers of public institutions, and others residing in Virginia and 
Texas, and States lying between them. We find in these 
letters from men residing far apart a remarkable agreement 
both in feeling and in judgment. 

We propose to conclude this article by quoting a few sen- 
tences on to[)ics, which we deem of great importance. 

One says, " From my own experience I should say there is 
but one obstacle to success, and that is a belief among the 
slaves, that all scriptural passaops whitb bear u[)on iheir pecu- 
liar situation, have been interpolated by white men. How far 
this notion prevails I cannot say, but 1 am sure it does to a 
great extent." 

Another says, "I cannot conceiv-e how any one, who 
acknowledges the obligations of Christian duty can decline 
affording Christian instruction to his slaves. That this duty of 
instruction may be safely perfornied, seems to me manifest 
from the very precepts of Christianity. The whole tenor of 
the Bible inculcates nothing but what, if practised, must con- 
tribute to the common advantage of the parties [master and 
servant.] The chief source of danger from the negro race 
consists in keeping them ignorant of the principles of Chris- 
tianity. My experience in this matter has been sufficient to 
satisfy me that there is no j^eomanry in the world, who would 
make a better return fir the labour of moral instruction, so far 
as the great leading principles of Christianity are concerned." 

Another says, " Sermons to coloured people ought to be 
studied and well prepared. The preacher must by all pru- 
dent means enlist public favour. The negroes must be treated 
with kindness and respect. In giving catechetical instruction, 
their ignorance and blunders must not be allowed to expose 
them before their fellows, but must be covered. Their feelings 
must not be wounded." 

Another says, " We must guard against the danger of so 
presenting the subject of religion to the minds of the negroes 
as to make the operation of their senses and imagination a sub- 
stitute for the exercise of the right affections of the heart. 
Such a method of instruction should be adopted as would 
make a lawful and judicious use of the senses and imagina- 



24 

tion ; and therefore sermons addressed to tbem should abound 
with illustrations taken from common life; a course justified 
by the parables of our Saviour." 

Another says, " Undoubtedly Christians ought to engage in 
this great work without delay. Nothing can be gained by post- 
ponement. The moral wretchedness of our coloured neigh- 
bours demands immediate relief; and every principle of 
humanity and religion urges us to afford it. Preaching intend- 
ed for this class ot j)ersons should be on important subjects, 
as simple as possible, familiar, attractive and solemn." 

Another says, "I think that our white population is prepared 
for this work ; and I know that many of the negroes are per- 
ishing for lack of knowledge. All our churches are doing a 
little for these too long neglected immortals ; but the efforts 
used bear no just proportion to their numbers and necessities." 

Another says, "Our Convention appointed a committee to 
prepare, or collect and publish a series of tracts for the benefit 
of the slaves, which may be read to them, or by such of them 
as can read. I trust the scenes, which are enacting in some 
parts of the north, will convince all our citizens that our first 
duly is to instruct them in the principles of religion, and not 
seek to inspire them with lofty notions, which will only rouse 
up against them the worst feelings of the whites." 

Two others relate at length how they overcame reluctance 
in their negroes to attend upon religious instruction. They 
gave them a part of Saturday for doing those things, which 
ihey had formerly done on the Lord's day, as going to a market, 
&c. They also gave them Ivv'o or three hours, when preaching 
could be had during the week. They thus showed that they 
were willing to lose, (if loss it was) a portion of their time for 
their spiritual good. " This course soon removed all outward 
opposition." 

Another says, " Ministers ought not only to preacb a great 
deal more than formerly to servants, but also preach a great 
deal to while people about the instruction of servants, so as to 
convince the whole church and the servants that we are in 
earnest in this business and intend to persevere." 

Another says, " May I entreat you to be zealous, as you 
value the welfare of your country, theprosperity of our church, 
your own reputation as a minister of the gospel, and the appro- 
bation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I am assured 
that nothing under God, will ever give motion to our Southern 
Zion in this most momentous of all causes of Christian bene- 
volence before us, but the united, determined and protracted 
effort of God's ministers." 

Another says, "Under present circumstances it is evident 



25 

ihat they who engage in the dehcate business of instructing 
our slaves, must confine themselves to the method of oral com- 
munication. But this limitation should not produce the slight- 
est discouragement. Written documents bore but a small part 
in the. early propagation of Christianity. Until the present 
age, indeed ihe mass of the people have received by far the 
greater part of their religious knowledge and impressions from 
the mouth of the living teacher. Even now perhaps the major- 
ity in our own country have their religious principles and 
character formed mainly by oral inslructic^n. 

"Respecting the method best adapted to the negroes, expe- 
rience must decide. A tew remarks will develope the general 
principles on which I would act if called to this high and holy 
duty. 

" 1st. To study to make the instructions given both pleasant 
and profilable to the instructed. The whole carcass of modern 
technical theology — its metaphics — its subtle distinctions — 
its mystical dogmas — its sectarian polemics — its technical 
phrases, &c. &c. — should be cast away by him who goes to 
this simple and ignorant people as a Christian teacher. He 
should know nothing atnong ihem but the plain facts, and prac- 
tical precepts, and the devotional sentim'mts of the Bible; and 
these he should set forth in the most simple, intelligible, and 
animated language, abounding in illustrations drawn from 
objects familiar to his auditors. But let him avoid negroisrn 
and vulgarity of all sorts — they would detract from his 
respectability, and be offensive to the understanding, and 
native taste of the negroes themselves, who are ignorant 
indeed, and to a degree stupid — but they are not fools. 

"2d. To study maturely, and to digest in a lucid order, a 
systematic course of instruction — not the technical system of 
the schools — but a system of plain, practical truth, adapted to 
the peculiar state of the people to be instructed — illustrating, 
inculcating, repeating tbtjdamental truths, and scriptural max- 
ims, till they are well understood : ain}ing first to lay the foun- 
dation of a rational faith and an intelligent conviction — before 
the feelings ard fancies of a blind endiusiasm are stirred up. 
It is peculiarly dangerous, to set lire to the combustible heap 
of crude and finatical fmcies that occupy the brain of an igno- 
rant person, such as are most of the uninstructed negroes. It 
is no hard thing to guide a well instructed ir)ind, in which reasorv 
and conscience have their due influence — but what can be 
done with a full blown enthusiast, or a furious fmatic, who is 
maddened by the chimeras of a diseased fancy? They will 
disdain sober instruction and set up for themselves. They will 
be your rivals, and have the advantage of you too, when once 

4 



26 

the flame of blind enthusiasm is kindled in the congregation. 

*' 3d. To av'oid cramming an unprepared mind with too 
much at once. A tew ideas at one time should be clearly 
expressed and deeply impressed. Do not hurry matters; but 
let the weak stomach digest one bit, before another is admin- 
istered ; relieve the wearied attention, and quicken pure devo- 
tional feeling, by sweet hymns and simple fervent prayers, 
and short affectionate exhortations. 

*♦ 4th. To combine various modes of instruction ; now a 
short sermon, methodically exhibiting a single point of truth 
or duty ; now a suitable passage of scripture with a pithy 
commentary ; now a catechetical exercise, either on the last 
sermon or by lecturing at the time, propounding a point clearly, 
and then examining the auditor to see if he remember and 
understand. This will quicken attention, fix what is under- 
stood, and detect what is wanting. 

To carry on this course, meet them twice on Sabbath and 
once in the week if possible. But do not claim too much of 
their Sunday leisure, or they will shun you. 

•'5th. To gain their confidence and love, sympathize with 
their innocent feelings, talk to them privately, preserve a mild 
dignity without contemning their ignorance and degradation. 
Have all patience with them. 

" 6th. Do nothing without the master's consent. Teach 
them what Paul directed slaves to do and be; but beware of 
pressing these duties too strongly and frequently, lest you beget 
the fatal suspicion that you are but executing a selfish scheme 
of the white man to make them better slaves, rather than to 
make them Christ's freemen. If they suspect this, you labour 
in vain." 

Another says, " On the modes of communicating a saving 
knowledge of Divine Truth to the coloured population, best 
suited to their genius, habits, and condition, we must remem- 
ber that oral instruction is the kind of instruction alone that is 
universally allowed in slavcholding States. Hence the ques- 
tion with us will be, in what mode can oral instruction be best 
communicated ? 

" I answer, 1st. Nothnig can take the place of competent, 
qualified ministers or missionaries ; men exclusively devoied 
to the work, who shall make it their lifetime labour and study, 
to whom adequate support must be given. The church is as 
much bound to furnish and support such missionaries, as mis" 
sionaries to any other heathen peoj)le in the world. 

**2d. Their labours must be at churches or convenient sta- 
tions on the Sabbath ; and from plantation to plantation during 
,lhe week. Plantation meetings are scarcely exceeded in utility 



by Sabbath or any other kind of meetings, and therefore should 
be vigorously prosecuted. As a general rule none should 
attend but residents on the estates where they are held. 

" 3d. In addition to the preaching of the gospel, classes of 
instruction should be formed, embracing in the first division, 
adults; and in the second, children and youth. Special 
instruction should also be given to those who are members of 
the church, and those who are appWing for admission. Let 
hasty admissions be advoided. 

"4th. The manner of communicating instruction should be 
plain and familiar; fully within their comprehension ; without 
coarseness or levity ; and wnih fervour. In the earlier stages 
of instruction, the catechetical meihod may be resorted to with 
success, your subjects being of the simplest kind; as you advance 
and your people acquire habits of attention and reflection and 
improve in knowledge, your subjects may be more elevated. 

'•5th. The matter of preaching, at least for no very incon- 
siderable a time, ma}'^ be chiefly, narratives, biographies, strik- 
ing works of God, miracles, parables. Didactic discourses, 
at least at first, are far from being interesting to them. Vary 
the exercises of w^orship b}^ singing, and sing standing. Let 
portions of scripture be committed to memory, as well as 
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, to take the place of the 
foolish and irreverent ones that are often in use among them. 
The besetting sins of this people ought to be exposed continu- 
ally. Here give line upon line, and precept upon precept, 
until conscience is enlightened, Give encouragement in 
preaching, address them as men, men whom you love, men 
whom you believe to be capable of improvement, and who, 
you make no doubt, will improve. 

"6th. Of the classes of instruction, I would say that they 
are of incalculable benefit. All that can be said in favour of 
Sabbath schools, and Bible classes, can be said in favour of 
these classes : properly conducted, they are nothing less or 
more, than Sabbath schools, and Bible classes for coloured 
persons. Our main hope of permanently improving this peo- 
ple lies just where it does with every other people : in the 
instruction of children and 3^ouih. Be beforehand with their 
.parents, who can onlv, in the vast mnjorit\' of cases, inculcate 
■evil both by word and deed ; and if it were practicable, an 
entire separation of children and adults (as is attempted by our 
missionaries at some of the stations by boarding schools and 
the like,) would be the best thing that could be done. Every 
ef!()rt therefore should be made to draw out and attach chil- 
ren and youth to the schools opened on the Sabbalh, at stations, 
and to schools opened in plantations. "Wherever these schools 



28 

are opened, if the missionary cannot be supported by good 
teachers, let him instruct the whole school, on the infant school 
plan himself. His instructions too should not be short, and 
imperfect, but embrace some regular system of Christian doc- 
trine and practice; so tlJiji^. after a reasonable lime, when the 
course is completed, acoimected and intelligent view of Christ- 
ianity will have been communicated. Connected with such a 
regular course of instruction, may be the use of scripture cards, 
and the like; leaching ihem to sing hymns, &c. Every thing 
I may say depends upon the teacher. If he is an interesting 
man, he will behold increased interest and rapid improvement 
in his classes. 

"With adult classes the improvement wmU generally be slower 
and the interest perhaps less and not so easily kept up. Let the 
same general course of instruction be pursued with them, for 
literally they are but grown up children. 

"7th. I must not omit to mention, that these efforts of regu- 
larly appointed missionaries, must be seconded by pastors of 
churches, and when they can, let them have in their own 
churches, coloured schools, under the superintendance of 
elders and laymen. Is it not wonderful that our churches have 
so long remained indifferent to this most interesting field of 
labour f One-half or two-thirds of our members have nothing 
to do. And why is it so ? Because they will not labour for the 
coloured population. Let pastors awake and bring the subject 
strongly and repeatedly before their people. 

"8lh. The Missionary must be supported by Christian 
owners; they must labour to improve the servants at home; 
having regular schools for the children and meetings for the in- 
struction of adults. They should encourage their people to 
attend public worship, especially should they send the children 
to Sabbath school; otherwise such schools, let the missionary 
or teacher do what he may, will decline in all ordinary cases, 

"9th. Let owners also pay special attention to their plantation 
regulations; all these should be founded on Christian principle. 
Discipline, labour, houses, food, clothing, should all be attended 
to; lest in works we deny our profession. This is fundamental.- 

"10th. While strict subordination is maintained on planta- 
tions, the general police of counties should be rigidly adhered 
to, and if possible the coloured population protected from ardent 
spirits. The plan now hinted at, or one very similar, will per- 
haps be found best suited to their genius, habits, and condition." 

But we must close. If our readers feel half the interest in 
this subject, wliich its importance demands, the}' will thank us 
for these views, even if they should not concur in every sug- 
gestion made. Let every man stand in his lot, and put on the 
whole armour of God. ^, r, »« 

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